There is something magical about this apprenticeship that’s hard to put into words. Imagine taking a breather from everyday responsibilities and running away into the woods with a small group of facinating women! We will nourish eachother through games, humor and engaging excursions, then return with feelings of inspiration, rejuvenation and a satisfied fullness. It’s not just the connections built within the container of this intimate community, but the foundational skills gained to enhance our awareness and feelings of belonging in the broader landscape. Don’t be surprised if a clarity of purpose and newly discovered superpowers arise from this experience.

June 20-21, 2026

Human Woods Manners & Bird Behavior

We’ll begin with an Introduction to Woods Manners (including camouflage, broadened awareness and stealth) and why this transition zone we call the Northwoods so is special. On day two we’ll look at the intricate relationship between birds and trees, nest construction and identification as well as wing design and feather identification.

July 25-26, 2026

River & Clay

Overnight - tent camping on the Saco River. Harvest clay, create small treasures and pitfire them while observing life along a river bank. We’ll swim, sing, and tell stories at a beautiful spot on the river behind our daughter’s farm. A foray introducing bird language is available to those interested in a side adventure.

(if camping is not your thing, you can sleep somewhere else and arrive at start time each morning)

September 19-20, 2026

Basic Foraging & Insect Behavior

An explorative meander in the home hills as we peruse the local grocer and pharmacy, learning about our plant neighbors and responsible harvesting methods. We will also be focusing on our smaller animal, neighbors and learn fascinating things about their lives together. Why is it that we always focus on larger species of beings? These little people are within a few steps of our door at all times! You will never be bored again.

October 17-18, 2026

Bear Culture & Constellations

Overnight - there has been a long-standing relationship between Bears and Humans for at least 20,000 years. Let’s learn as much as we can about our local Bear culture and our age old relationship with them right in the heart of Bear country. To add to the fun, we will make our own cave paint and brushes using locally harvested materials, including Bear tallow, then explore our shared home range, leaving our own marks in secret places. We’ll top it off with a night time journey to the ledges and learn some things about constellations and the stories that go with them.

(overnight at a friend’s farm a few miles from Merrifield. Tent camping or floor camping in an old farmhouse in front of a fireplace )

January 23-24, 2027

Tracking, Trailing & Skull Morphology

Though, more than likely, I have already gotten you folks hooked on tracking because I can’t help but point these things out from day one, but this weekend will be a full on focus of the art track and sign, as well as following the stories we read. We will also learn to track the clues held within the bones of a skull so that you can identify who it belongs to, perhaps even when blindfolded!

Women’s Naturalist Apprenticeship